Immigration to Singapore

Living and Working in Singapore

Ferris Wheel, SingaporeSingapore is the island country in South East Asia situated on the southern tip of Malay Peninsula. The standard of living in this country is affordable and is known as one of the best place to stay in the world. It has several parks, natural reserves, coral reefs, mangroves and tidal flats. Here you can also enjoy a vast range of flora and fauna. This country is some sort of food paradise, also has some top sporting activities, amazing night life and high level creative art scenes. Surrounding with beautiful countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, in the northern part it has Vietnam and Thailand. These are some of the most scenic countries just short flight away from Singapore. This country is politically stable and is an economic power house. Here you can enjoy business friendly environment, global connectivity, infrastructure which is future-ready and plenty of talent.

Reasons behind this is to live and earn money as this island has many job opportunities and gives one of the best education. This is a highly developed country according to the UN Human Development Index and also known as a tax heaven. It has the world famous international airport ‘The Changi’. Singapore is a major aviation, financial and shipping hub, also considered as the most expensive place to live for expat and foreign workers. Living overseas is not an easy task. It takes a lot to move from one country to another, from one culture to another. But moving to a country that encourages foreigners, gives accommodation and makes it so much easier to stay. The land is Singapore has high quality education, healthcare, best quality life, personal safety, good infrastructure and housing with more than 80% ownership rate. This nations is rich in culture, fantastic people with excellent cuisine. 

Traveling information

Flag of Singapore
Flag of Singapore

In Singapore there are different rules for vaccinated or non-fully vaccinated persons. If you are fully vaccinated then you can enjoy quarantine free travel in this country. As well as there are no entry approvals, pre departure tests, on arrival tests and quarantine required. Children of the age 12 or under by the year of birth will be allowed to enter Singapore, even if they are not fully vaccinated just like the fully vaccinated adults. Before your departure keep your proof of vaccination with you as well as upload it on the vaccination check portal. Keep tickets for any flight to Singapore. Three days prior to the departure, submit SG Arrival card and e-health declaration through the official e-service on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. Non-fully vaccinated travelers for short term are not allowed to enter this country but there also some exemptions like if you are a traveler with other valid entry approval, for instance, compassionate reasons. In this case you need to take a COVID-19 (PCR) test or take professionally administered (ART) test, two days prior to your traveling date. After arriving in Singapore stay at home for seven days at any hotel or your pre booked accommodation. After completion go for a PCR test.

Documents to show at the immigration: 

  • You need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and 2 blank pages.
  • Bank statement proving enough monetary funds.
  • A recent color passport size photo and a valid visa.
  • An onward or return flight ticket
  • A vaccination certificate, if needed.

For more travel advice please visit: www.smartraveller.gov.au  and www.visitsingapore.com

How to immigrate to Singapore

Government of Singapore is offering many pathways for immigrants who are willing to move/visit the country. Work Visa route is the most common way for long term stay in Singapore. People who want to work and immigrate to this country need to obtain a work visa from Singaporean Embassy or Consulate in their residing place with personal information and general visa requirements. While other countries do not allow immigrants to enter, this nation has an open door policy for all the people. As a result the population of immigrants is rising day by day for many previous years. One fourth number of the population is nonresidents. Most of the expats come from the nearby countries. There are different ways to relocate in this nation, depends on the purpose they want to move in. Pathways you can choose are mentioned below: 

  • People want to work here can select any one of the three types of work visa to migrate to Singapore.
  • Qualified candidate can apply for Employment Pass (EP). The employer wants to employ the person must apply for this. It is valid upto two years. This rule applies as new company, new Employment Pass. This pass can be renewed after every three years. No quotas are eligible for Employment Passes. Expat earning more than $4000/month can bring spouse and children. If earning more than $8000/month than they can bring parents too.
  • Personalized Employment Pass (PEP) is for high earning professionals.
  • S Pass is a visa used by least qualified workers, who wants to migrate to Singapore.
  • All these above persons can bring family with Dependent Pass. Stepchildren, disabled children over the age of 21 years and spouse may come after getting Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
  • Permanent residence can be obtained by those who are already working in this country with a valid EP or Entrepreneur Pass. They must have worked in Singapore for more than six months. 

For more information please visit: www.immigrationworld.com and singaporetopimmigration.sg

People

Singaporeans are friendly and courteous people. They just seem to be introvert, reserved and unfriendly but they are good to work with and if you know them closely they open up real quick, they have qualities like helpful, polite and fun loving. If you visit here with free mind, you will not feel like you are in a different country as people are lively and live their life to the fullest. Most expats here are of Chinese decent with more than seventy percent, Malay are more than ten percent, Indians are more than nine percent and other are approx three percent. Religions followed here are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, etc. People here are open minded and there is no restrictions on following your own religion in this country. There are also people who are atheist or do not follow any religion and these people are more than twenty percent of the population. Here you will see talent everywhere and live architectures. In this country crime rate is very low and people especially girls or ladies can roam around at night without any hesitation. Singapore is also politically stable and a peaceful country with peace loving people.

Job offers in Singapore

The types of jobs that foreigners can apply to in Singapore are limited, but you can find them all online. The market is very competitive, even highly qualified professionals also find it difficult to land a job in this country. Singapore is an economic hub and the job market is not saturated, so gradually you can get the job offer. Job market in this country is also expanding as new industries are blooming up. Foreign workers must get the Employment Pass (EP), also known as work visa to get the job. Jobs where people are in demand, like Digital marketing,  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Developer, AI Scientist, AI Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Backend Developer, Data analysis, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Full Stack Engineer, etc. Also in Management, IT, hospitality and many other industries depending on your skill levels in those fields. 

How to get a job: 

  • Check your skills to work in Singapore
  • Choose a reputed industry
  • Understand the common employment practices
  • Find job through online portals
  • Meet with the employment agency
  • Meet people
  • Apply for the work visa
  • Get ready to move

For more information please visit: wise.com

Unemployment rate

The unemployment rate in Singapore has gone down to 2.2% in the month of April 2022 from 2.4% in the last year, which was the lowest unemployment rate since the month of December 2019. In the pandemic the rate rised nut as the economy recovered further from COVID-19. The number of employed persons rose by more than 42 thousand from the previous month. This number has risen due to border restrictions were lifted. It is expected to rise further in the upcoming months. More than 1,300 workers were laid off, the lowest print, compared with more than 1,500 workers in the last quarter. Manufacturers saw an increase in the layoffs, led by the manufacture of fabricated products, equipments and machineries. This has happened due to the discontinuation of the product line. The six month re entry numbers among the non residents rose up to seventy two percent which is the highest rate since the year 2015, from sixty seven percent previously. Unemployment rate is the share of labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The job vacancy rate is rising, though the rate of increase has slowed from the previous quarter. 

For more information please visit: tradingeconomics.com

Economy of Singapore

Singapore’s economy is a highly developed free market economy. It is also known as the most open in the world, forth least corrupt and is the pro business. This country has the second highest per capita GDP in the whole wide world. Singapore has one of the most business friendly environments for local startups and is considered as one of the most competitive economies in the world. Economy is dominated by the service sector with more than 75% contribution to the economy followed by the manufacturing sector with 20% to 25% contribution in the annual GDP of this country. The agricultural sector has very less contribution with 0.5%. This consists of biomedical sciences, logistics, electronics, chemicals and transport engineering. Main industries are electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, biomedical products, scientific instruments, telecommunication equipments, rubber, food and beverages, ship repair, offshore construction, life sciences, and re-exportation. Goods exported by this nation are machinery and equipments, electronics and telecommunication, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, products. Imported items are machinery and equipments, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods.

For more information please visit: en.wikipedia.org

Renting and buying of real estate’s for foreigners

Renting:

Most Singaporeans live in HBD apartments which are monitored by the state government. These flats has very cheap renting amount. Mostly expats live in private residential apartments called condo or condominiums. It is necessary pay a 2 month rent amount as a deposit and 1 month rent as an advance, prior to take it on rent. Also most lease agreements are made for 2 years.

Renting or buying is a personal decision and will depend on your individual circumstances and long-term plans. For those in Singapore on a short-term assignment, renting may be the best choice.

Documents:

  • Passport copy
  • Identity card
  • Proof of working in this country (Salary Slip)
  • Lease Papers

Buying:

It is always good to try before you buy a property. Renting a property to begin with will give you time to explore and find neighborhoods you like and get a real feel for the type of homes and apartments those are available. Those planning to be in this country for the medium to long-term may consider buying.

In the places other than the city centre, housing costs are comparatively lower, especially in the suburbs, surrounding prefectures and in other regions in Singapore. Mortgage options for foreign residents who have only just arrived in Singapore are available, but with permanent residency or a spouse who is either Singaporean or if you have permanent residency, along with an established work history in the country may open up access to more financial institutions.

Documents:

  • Passport copy
  • Identity proof
  • Mortgage papers
  • Bank Statement

For more information please visit: www.propertyguru.com.sg

Climate

Singapore has two seasons ‘wet’ and ‘dry’. Here you will not experience the specific four seasons as this country is near the equator. The dry season starts from the month of March and ends in the month of August. The wet season starts from the month of September and ends in the month of February. However there is not fixed weather in this country. 

Dry season: In the month of March to August there is very less rainfall than the rest of the months. The driest months are from March to first week of May. Temperature is usually the same during these months. There is rainfall during dry season with brief showers like for less than an hour in the month of May to August. 

Wet season: This season starts from the month of September and ends in the month of February. At this time this nation experiences heavy rain. Hence most of the locals or tourists like to enjoy the indoor attractions at this time like malls and museums. It is suggested to take an umbrella or a raincoat along whenever you plan to visit outside the house. 

For more information please visit: www.tripsavvy.com

Languages

Singapore has more than one official language English, Malay, Singaporean Mandarin and Tamil. A multitude of languages are used in this country as there are many minorities and immigrant from all over the world. Immigrants are Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Yiddish, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. Minorities are Cantonese, Indonesian, Javanese, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Malayalam, Urdu, etc. People here also speak a language called Singlish which is also known as Singapore Colloquial English, this is an informal colloquial form of English that is used in Singapore. 

Foreign languages spoken in this nation are Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Filipino. Singaporean Sign Language is another language used by the deaf and mute people in this country. Road signs, public hospitals, Notices and Campaigns, etc. are written in all the four languages, Official work is done mostly in English, also English is taught as first language in educational institutions. 

For more information please visit: en.wikipedia.org

Traffic

Singapore is the first country, implementing the Electric Road Pricing System (ERP). This country introduced how to run and manage successful special schemes for traffic congestion management, specially the Area License Scheme, ERP and the vehicle Quota System. There are only fifty roundabouts in this country. The most popular ones are Newton Circus, liking the Novena, Newton areas with a whopping eight exits. The rule is to slow down when you are near a roundabout and give way to traffic on you right side. 

The rush hours in this place is from morning 7.00 am to 10.00 am and in the evening 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm are there are many people on the road trying to reach at their work place or education centre and in the evening people are in a hurry to reach home. Generally the speed limit for driving in this country is 50 km/hr. The limit is restricted to 40 km/hr in school areas and Silver areas. Many expressways have 80 km/hr to 90 km/hr speed limits. People ignoring these speed limits and caught speeding up will be charged and given demerit points, fine or face prosecution. There are a few streets that are routinely congested, and rush hour is quite packed on the expressways, but traffic flow is generally quite good. 

For more information please visit: en.wikipedia.org

Currency

The currency of Singapore is known as the Singapore dollar. It is divided into 100 cents (c). It is abbreviated with the dollar sign ($) or S$ to show the difference from other dollar dominated currencies. Nickname for this currency is Sing dollar or Sing, as used by most of the Singaporeans. Notes and coins are issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The paper currency is in five denominations, $2, $5, $10, $50, $100. There are also paper currencies which are discontinued but is legal and still in circulation $1, $20, $25, $500, $1,000, $10,000. Coins are available in 5c, 10c, 20c, $1. Coin of 1c is nowadays rarely used but is in circulation. This is the thirteenth most traded currency in the world. Singapore dollar is also accepted in Brunei as a customary tender. As well as the Brunei dollar is also customarily accepted in this nation. 

Payment Transactions

Payments can be made in this country through online, cash or cards, cheques, or by digital wallets. Cash is the original and the oldest payment method, used by more than 90% population. Credit cards are the most used online method at more than seventy percent population. Bank transfers are also used by most of the expats as well as locals. Some of the online payment methods used here are Merchant solutions, NETS, Website Payments Standard, Website Payments Pro, Wirecard AG, DBS Merchant Payment Services, Wirecard AG, GTPay, Asia Pay, etc. Cashless payment refers to electronic payment, covering everything from credit and debit card payments to digital wallets and virtual cards, mobile payment apps and IC cards payments. Apparently, it’s anytime you pay without physically handing over notes and coins. 

Payment Methods:

  • Cash
  • Credit Cards
  • Digital Wallets
  • Mobile Contactless Payments
  • Bank Transfers
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

For more information visit: www.singaporecompanyincorporation.sg

Cost of living of Singapore 

According to a survey Singapore is one of the expensive country in the Asia Continent and cost of living here is expensive more than ninety five percent of countries in the whole wide world. Average living cost in this country also depends upon your lifestyle or your current situation, like whether you are working or a student. Cost of living varies if you are staying alone or with your family.        

The average monthly expense for a single person is approximately S$9,290 and the approx. monthly expense will rise if you want to move along with your family of four people will be S$5,850. Food is cheap compared to housing or dining. If you are staying in a city where you can go by bicycle or by walking to your university or office or live in a city with a good public transport system, then your cost of living will be much lower. Expense will also be low if you need smaller accommodation, than the bigger one.

Here are some products mentioned below, so that you will get a clear idea of the cost of living: 

Product

Quantity

Amount in (S$)  (Singapore Dollar)

Whole Fat Milk

1 lit

3.50

Eggs

12 (a dozen)

4.25

Tomatoes

1 Kg (2 lb.)

3.35

Chicken

500 grams (1 lb)

5.60

Dining (Lunch)

Full meal

14.00

Fast food meal

Combo

9.00

Bread

2 loaf

2.50

Internet

8 mbps (1 month)

45.00

Cleaning help

Hourly

20.00

Public transport ticket

Monthly

110.00

Doctor

Short visit

15.00

Movie Tickets

For 2

27.00

Utilities (heating, gas, electricity)

1 month, 2 persons in (900 sqft) flat

228.00

Utilities (heating, gas, electricity)

1 month, 1 person in  (450 sqft) flat

137.00

For more info visit: www.expatistan.com

Apartment Rent

This country has the most expensive apartments in the world. It is possible for foreigners to get a posh and confortable rental in Singapore. Documnets needed are student pass for students, employment pass if you are working, work permit, etc. These documents give you the same rights as the locals have. Here you can’t rent a property for less than 90 days, landlord will tell you the same prior giving their property on rent. To rent a property there are many websites available on the internet displaying the property with prices. You can also hire a real estate agent, they will help you find a place cozy and in the budget for you. 

Fully furnished one bedroom apartment in the city centre will cost you approx. S$ 2,861 and same apartment, outside city will cost approx. S$ 1,913. A furnished studio apartment of 2 to 3 bedrooms in the city centre will cost you approx. S$ 5,500 and outside the city it will cost you approx. S$ 3,178. Finding accommodation here is challenging so asking your colleagues, friends, shopkeepers or waiters in the nearby café or restaurants will be helpful. As you wander on the streets and see some sign boards of ‘To let’ will also be useful. In many places renting a one bedroom apartment, in the city centre will cost around as much as a two bedroom apartment outside the city center. 

For more information please visit: wise.com

Taxes

According to a survey by United Nation, Singapore is a highly developed country and a tax heaven as tax rate is very low in this country.  Personal Income Tax rate in one of the lowest tax rates in the world. First you need to know the tax residency and the number of chargeable income and then you must apply the progressive tax rate to it, in order to determine the Singapore income tax liability of a person. Foreigners also pay tax in this country but the tax liability will be according to your residency status. It is important as it shows the amount of taxes an expat pays in this country with the cut off days between 60 and 183 days.

Residents are subjected to certain personal allowances and are subject to graduated tax rates from 0 to 22 percent. Non residents are not entitled to any personal allowances and are subjected to pay the tax at a flat rate of 22 percent. Concession is given on the employment income of non residents which is taxed at a higher flat rate of 15 percent or the graduated residents’ rates with the personal allowances. This country last increased its personal income tax rate for the top income tax bracket by 2 percent, points from 20 percent to 22 percent.  

For more information please visit: taxsummaries.pwc.com

Health Insurance

Healthcare service in Singapore is one of the best healthcares in the world as this nation has achieved universal health coverage through the mixture of financial system. Public statutory insurance system “MediShield Life’ covers long bills given to you by the hospital management and some outpatient treatments. Basic treatments at government hospitals are done at very low cost or almost free sometimes for the locals. With a little more money you can experience more deluxe care in private rooms. Employees of this country give more than thirty five percent of their salaries in certain savings account that is spent on the healthcare system, education, housing, etc., in which some amount is also contributed by their employers. They give facility like screening examinations, Pre-natal care and infectious disease control, with the patient accepting responsibility for little less of these costs while the government pays remaining most for it.

Public health insurance covers most citizens/residents and the system pays 70% or more of medical and prescription drug costs with remainder being covered by the patient. 

For more information please visit: www.pacificprime.sg

Important addresses

Singapore Changi Airport:
Airport Blvd.,
Singapore 
Ph: +65 5695 6868

Seletar Airport:   
21 Seletar Aerospace Rd 1,
Singapore 797405  
Ph: +65 6595 6868

Changi Airport International Pte.Ltd.(Corporate Office): 
60 Airport Boulevard #048-049,
Terminal 2 Singapore Changi Airport,
Singapore 819643  Ph: +65 6541 1922

Joo Koon (MRT) Subway Station:   
Singapore,
Ph: +65 6331 1000

Esplanade (MRT) Subway Station:    
90 Bras Basah Rd,
Singapore 189562

Fort Canning (MRT) Subway Station:
170 River Valley Rd,
Singapore 179038 

Embassy of Germany:       
50 Raffles Pl, #12-00 Singapore Land Tower,
Singapore 048623  
Ph: +65 6533 6002

British High Commission: 
100 Tanglin Rd,
Singapore 247919    
Ph: +65 6424 4200

Embassy of Chile:    
8 Temasek Blvd,
Singapore 038988,                 
Ph: +65 6223 8577

Embassy of Argentina:     
7 Temasek Blvd, #15-03 Suntec Tower One,
Singapore 038 987  
Ph: +65 6887 9808

Summary

Singapore, an island country situated on the southern tip of Malay peninsula. This is one of the best place to study, work and live as this nation gives you the best lifestyle and the best atmosphere. Singapore has the world class amenities, education and healthcare. This is the reason many expats choose this nation to settle down. Here you will not experience the four seasons but you will enjoy the weather as it is mild in dry and calm in wet seasons. There are many world famous places here you can visit in the rainy season. People are very hospitable, respectful and friendly and here you can experience the business friendly environment. This is a highly developed country and is considered as a tax heaven as the tax rates are very low compared to the rest of the world. This nation is famous for its colorful markets, history beautiful houses and monuments, food and beverages. This place is on many of people’s bucket list to take a trip here.  Nightlife here is vibrant with lit lantern streets, music and discos. Here you will find plenty of lounge bars. This nation is culturally diverse an upper middle class country.

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